Is Whitby a good place to live?
Yes. Whitby is one of Durham Region’s most popular towns for families. It offers well-planned neighbourhoods, sought-after schools, a GO station on the Lakeshore East line and Highway 412 to the toll-free 407 East. A typical detached home was about $977,000 in September 2026, with Brooklin and Williamsburg at the top of the range.
- Best for: families who prioritise schools and space, commuters using GO or the 407, and move-up buyers from Ajax and Pickering.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $897,200 composite; detached $977,100; townhouse $563,400; condo $495,700 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 45–55 minutes from Whitby GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore East line.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Brooklin, Williamsburg, Taunton North, Rolling Acres, Pringle Creek, Downtown Whitby and Port Whitby.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Whitby, Ontario
Whitby grew around its harbour and its historic downtown at Brock and Dundas Streets, where heritage buildings, restaurants and the Station Gallery still anchor the town. Port Whitby, on the lake, has a marina, waterfront trails and Lynde Shores Conservation Area nearby.
North of Highway 407, Brooklin began as a separate village and has grown into one of Durham’s most sought-after family communities, with a small-town main street and large new subdivisions.
Between the two, neighbourhoods like Williamsburg, Taunton North, Rolling Acres and Pringle Creek were built mostly from the 1980s onward, with parks, trails and schools throughout.
| Fact | Whitby |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 138,501 |
| Region | Durham Region |
| Area | About 147 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $897,200 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $977,100 |
| GO station | Whitby GO (Lakeshore East) |
| Major highways | 401, 412, 407 East (toll-free) |
| Communities | Whitby, Brooklin, Port Whitby |
📍 Whitby, Durham Region, Ontario
Whitby Neighbourhood Guide
Brooklin
Brooklin, north of Highway 407, combines a heritage village main street with large newer subdivisions, parks and Brooklin High School.
- Heritage main street on Baldwin Street
- Brooklin High School
- Newer family subdivisions
- Next to Highway 407 East
Williamsburg / Taunton North
North Whitby neighbourhoods around Taunton Road offer larger family homes, popular schools and shopping at Taunton and Brock.
- Popular family neighbourhoods
- Shopping at Taunton and Brock
- Parks and trails
- Quick access to Highway 412
Rolling Acres / Pringle Creek
Central-east Whitby neighbourhoods with mature family streets, the Pringle Creek trail system and easy access to Oshawa and Highway 401.
- Pringle Creek trails
- Close to Whitby Mall and shopping
- Easy drive to Oshawa
- Range of price points
Downtown Whitby
The historic core around Brock and Dundas Streets has heritage homes, restaurants, the library and Station Gallery, with new condos and towns nearby.
- Brock Street shops and restaurants
- Whitby Centennial Building and library
- Station Gallery
- Heritage homes on tree-lined streets
Port Whitby / South Whitby
South of the 401, Port Whitby has the marina, the Waterfront Trail, Lynde Shores Conservation Area and the GO station, with newer condos and towns.
- Whitby GO station
- Port Whitby marina
- Lynde Shores Conservation Area
- Waterfront Trail
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklin | families wanting a small-town feel | New and established detached, towns | Upper |
| Williamsburg / Taunton North | established move-up homes | Detached and semis | Upper |
| Rolling Acres / Pringle Creek | value in an established area | 1980s–90s detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| Downtown Whitby | walkability and character | Heritage homes, towns, condos | Mid |
| Port Whitby / South Whitby | commuters who love the lake | Detached, towns, condos | Mid to upper |
Whitby Demographics
Who lives in Whitby?
Whitby attracts families who prioritise schools and space, commuters to Toronto and Markham, and public-sector workers at Durham Region headquarters, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Shores.
Growth and housing demand
Brooklin is Whitby’s main growth area, with new subdivisions north of the 407. Downtown and Port Whitby are adding condos and townhomes near transit. Prices were down about 6% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Whitby
Public and Catholic schools
Brooklin High School
Public secondary · BrooklinConfirm catchment with DDSBAnderson Collegiate Vocational Institute
Public secondary · central WhitbyConfirm catchment with DDSBSinclair Secondary School
Public secondary · north WhitbyConfirm catchment with DDSBDonald A. Wilson Secondary School
Public secondary · west WhitbyConfirm catchment with DDSBAll Saints Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · north WhitbyConfirm catchment with DCDSBFather Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · central WhitbyConfirm catchment with DCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Durham District School Board (DDSB) | English public |
| Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Ontario Tech University and Durham College in north Oshawa are about 10–15 minutes away, and Trent University Durham is in Oshawa.
Transit and Getting Around Whitby
Whitby GO station
Lakeshore East trains run all day from Whitby GO to Union Station, with large parking lots and bus connections.
Highways
Highway 401 crosses south Whitby; Highway 412 links it to Highway 407 East, which is toll-free through Durham.
Local and rapid buses
DRT routes connect Whitby neighbourhoods to the GO station, Oshawa and Ajax, with PULSE rapid buses along Dundas Street.
Approximate commute times from Whitby
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 45–55 min | Lakeshore East from Whitby GO |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 45–75 min | Highway 401 / DVP |
| Markham | 30–35 min | Highway 412 / 407 |
| Oshawa | 10–15 min | Highway 401 / 2 |
| Pickering | 15–20 min | Highway 401 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Whitby
Parks & Nature
- Lynde Shores Conservation Area
- Heber Down Conservation Area
- Whitby Waterfront Trail
- Pringle Creek trails
- Cullen Central Park
Shopping
- Whitby Mall
- Taunton and Brock shopping
- Downtown Whitby shops
- Brooklin village shops
- Big-box stores along Thickson Road
Recreation
- Iroquois Park Sports Centre
- Abilities Centre
- Thermëa spa village
- Port Whitby marina
- Brooklin Community Centre
Culture & Events
- Station Gallery
- Whitby Public Library
- Brooklin Spring Fair
- Downtown Whitby events
- Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Whitby Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $897,200 |
| Detached | $977,100 |
| Semi-detached | $736,100 |
| Townhouse | $563,400 |
| Condo apartment | $495,700 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -5.55% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Newer detached homes in Brooklin and Williamsburg usually trade above the town benchmark. Rolling Acres, Pringle Creek and older homes near downtown often offer better value.
Townhouses and condos near Whitby GO and downtown are the main entry point, and appeal to commuters and downsizers.
Pros and cons of living in Whitby
Pros
- Strong schools and family neighbourhoods
- Whitby GO with all-day trains
- Highway 412 to the toll-free 407 East
- Waterfront, marina and conservation areas
- Charming downtown and Brooklin main streets
Cons
- Higher prices than Oshawa and Clarington
- Brooklin commute to GO takes a car
- Limited condo supply
- Busy Highway 401 at rush hour
Buying or selling in Whitby? Here’s what our clients say
5-star Google reviews“Awesome Team. I like the fact they take the time to explain important things about real estate, I have never felt rushed when choosing and viewing a property.”
“Desemal is friendly, extremely reliable and results oriented. Always goes above and beyond the service she provides, exceeding our expectations each time!”
“Very efficient, Damali was able to show her expertise to maximize the chances on my side, very knowledgeable, even with complex landlord she knows how to set the tone. In 3 weeks I had everything ready.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Whitby
Yes. Whitby is a good place to live for families, with sought-after schools, safe neighbourhoods, a GO station, the toll-free 407 East via Highway 412 and a lively downtown. It is pricier than Oshawa or Clarington.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Whitby was $897,200. By type: detached $977,100, semi-detached $736,100, townhouse $563,400 and condo apartment $495,700 (TRREB).
About 45 to 55 minutes from Whitby GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore East line, with all-day trains in both directions.
Yes. Brooklin is a community in north Whitby, north of Highway 407. It has a heritage village core and large newer subdivisions.
Brooklin, Williamsburg and Taunton North are the most popular for families, with larger homes and popular schools. Rolling Acres and Pringle Creek offer good value in established areas.
Yes. Highway 407 East through Durham Region is provincially owned and toll-free, and Highway 412 connects Whitby’s 401 corridor to it.
Yes. In September 2026 Whitby’s composite benchmark was $897,200, compared with $699,700 in Oshawa.
Whitby is known as the seat of Durham Region government, for its family neighbourhoods and schools, Brooklin village, Port Whitby marina, the Abilities Centre and Thermëa spa.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
